Forklift Training

- General
Overview
 Only trained and evaluated
operators can drive forklifts

 Employer certifies successful

completion of training and
evaluation

1a
Overview
 Operators can only drive the
types of forklifts on which they
have been trained

1b
Overview
 Operating a forklift takes:
• Skill
• Mechanical knowledge
• Knowledge of workplace hazards

1c
Overview
 Take forklift out of service if
defective

1d
Forklift rules
 Don’t stand or pass under raised
forks

 Only handle stable, safely

arranged loads

 Only handle loads within truck’s

rated capacity
2a
Forklift rules
 Place forks under load as far as
possible

 Only tilt load forward while

depositing it

 High-lift rider trucks need overhead

guards to protect operator

2b
Forklift rules
 Use a safety platform to lift
people

 Forklifts must be approved for

hazardous locations

 Watch where you are going

2c
Forklift rules
 Never drive up to anyone
standing in front of a fixed
object

 Allow no riders

 Keep arms, legs in truck

2d
Forklift rules
 Keep the load close to the
ground

 Keep to the right

 Obey speed limits

2e
Forklift rules
 Slow down, sound horn where
vision is obstructed

 Maintain safe distances (3 truck

lengths) when following other
trucks

 Do not pass a truck at dangerous

locations
2f
Forklift rules
 No stunt driving or horseplay

 Ensure enough clearance at

overhead locations

 Stay within loaded/rated

capacity

2g
Forklift rules
 Use mechanical dock locks or
set brakes of highway trucks
before driving on trailer.

 Follow any special precautions

2h
Forklift rules
 Keep aisles free when parking
forklift

 Lower forks, neutralize controls,

shut off engine, and set brakes
when truck is unattended.

2i
Training geared for the
workplace
 Types of trucks

 Site-specific information

3a
Training topics
 Operating instructions,
warnings, precautions

 Differences between trucks and

automobiles

 Truck controls, instrumentation

4a
Training topics
 Engine and motor operation

 Steering and maneuverability

 Visibility

4b
Training topics
 Fork and attachment
adaptation, operation, use
limitations

 Vehicle capacity, stability

 Inspection and maintenance

4c
Training topics
 Refueling/recharging

 Operating limitations

 Other instructions

4d
Workplace-related
training topics
 Surface conditions

 Composition of loads

 Load manipulation

5a
Workplace-related
training topics
 Pedestrian traffic

 Narrow aisles,
restricted areas

 Hazardous
locations

5b
Workplace-related
training topics
 Ramps, sloped surfaces

 Closed environments

 Unique, potentially hazardous

environments

5c
Differences between trucks
and automobiles
 Driver has limited visibility

 Rear-wheel steering

 Different centers of gravity

6a
Differences between trucks
and automobiles
 Controls are different

 Industrial trucks carry heavier

loads

6b
Controls and
instrumentation
 Critical to safe operation

 Unintentional, mistaken
operation can cause serious
accidents

 Know where controls are located,

what they do, how they work

7a
Engine and motor
operation
 Powered by gasoline, LP gas,
propane, or battery

8a
Engine and motor
operation
 Knowing how a truck is
powered helps to understand
the truck’s capabilities,
limitations

8b
Steering and
maneuvering
 Rear-end steering

 Many trucks do not have a

standard steering wheel

9a
Steering and
maneuvering
 Operator may need to steer in
reverse

 Operator may need to steer with

one hand

 Understand the controls for the

type of truck you’re operating

9b
Operator visibility
 Loads can restrict vision

 Look in the direction you’re

traveling

 Watch for overhead obstacles

10a
Operator visibility
 Ensure adequate clearance

 Check blind spots to side and

rear

10b
Forks
 Trucks can be equipped or
modified to accept attachments
for moving odd-shaped loads

 Additions/modifications may
affect stability, safe operation

11a
Forks
 Attachments can cause
restrictions/limitations to
operation

 Operate trucks with

attachments as being partially
loaded

11b
Vehicle capacity
 Only handle loads
within truck’s
rated capacity

 Capacity is
found on
nameplate

12a
Vehicle capacity
 Understand limitations for:
• how much weight can be handled
• how high the load can be raised
• how far the load’s center of gravity
can be from truck’s vertical load
rest

12b
Vehicle stability
 Center of gravity shifts when
load is raised

 Truck is less stable with raised

load

 Moving an unstable truck can

result in tipover

13a
Vehicle stability
 During a tipover:
• Stay with vehicle and lean away
from direction of fall
• Don’t jump downward while truck
is tipping

 Keep load at lowest practical

point

13b
Inspection and
maintenance
 Follow procedures and
schedules

 Keeps forklifts operating safely

 Inspect for damage, defects,

unusual conditions

14a
Inspection and
maintenance
 Perform safety checks before
operation
• Fork pins and stops
• Cowling and body parts
• Fuel levels
• Belts, hoses, tires

14b
Inspection and
maintenance
 Perform safety checks before
operation
• Brakes, steering, controls, hour
meter, lights, horn
• Remove unsafe trucks from
service
• Repairs must be made by
authorized person

14c
Inspection and
maintenance
 Perform safety checks before
operation
• Remove vehicles from service that
emit sparks
• Don’t operate trucks with fuel
leaks

14d
Inspection and
maintenance
 Perform safety checks before
operation
• Remove trucks from service that
operate in excess of normal
operating temperature
• Check water mufflers daily

14e
Fueling/charging of
batteries
 Exposes workers to hazardous
chemicals

 Involves electrical hazards, heat

build-up, generation of gas

 Be aware of all hazards involving

fueling and battery handling

15a
Fueling/charging of
batteries
 Keep flames, sparks, arcs from
fueling areas

 Smoking is not allowed in

fueling/charging areas

 Keep tools and metallic objects

from top of uncovered batteries

15b
Provide operators with the
information they need
 Operating instructions

 Warnings

 Precautions

16a
Truck-specific
information
 Limitations

 Operator’s manual

16b
Workplace-specific
information
 Loads handled

 Pedestrian traffic

 Traffic routes

 Unique hazards of the facility

17a
Retraining/re-evaluation
 Triggered by certain events:
• Accidents
• Near-misses
• Assignment to different type of
truck
• Changes in work environment
• Observation of unsafe operation

18a
Retraining/re-evaluation
 Evaluate at least every 3 years

 Avoid duplication of training

18b